Interventions to Promote Inclusive Governance for Underserved Populations in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Evidence and Gap Map.

Background: Inclusive governance ensures that institutions, policies, and practices allow marginalized and underserved groups to participate meaningfully in decision-making at all levels. It is defined by equitable participation, transparency, accountability, responsiveness, and effectiveness. Historically, women, youth, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and low-income rural and urban populations have faced exclusion due to structural inequalities and weak institutions, resulting in poverty, disempowerment, and social unrest. However, inclusive governance fosters peace, empowerment, and economic growth. In sub-Saharan Africa, it is a key priority in Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 16 and Agenda 2063, although interventions have yielded mixed results. Therefore, it is essential to enhance the discoverability of research on these interventions. Objectives: To map evidence on inclusive governance interventions for underserved populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Search Methods: In 2024, the following databases were searched, limited to English language results: CAB Abstract, Web of Science, Dimensions, and Scopus. Additionally, gray literature sources, including organizational databases, Google Scholar, and registries, were utilized. Selection Criteria: Two reviewers independently screened the titles, abstracts, and full texts of potentially eligible articles for inclusion based on the outlined eligibility criteria. Data Collection and Analysis: We developed and pilot-tested a data extraction tool in EPPI-Reviewer, where data was extracted and coded individually. We did not assess the quality of the reviews, as there were none available, nor did we evaluate the quality of the primary studies. Main Results: A total of 88 articles (all primary studies) were included in this Evidence and Gap Map which assessed the interventions for underserved populations aimed at inclusive governance. Most studies looked at CSO's advocacy, and public policy and government agencies interventions. Civic participation, and movement and coalitions, & CSO's activities and achievement were the most studies outcomes leading to inclusive governance. Most research was conducted in Eastern Africa, particularly in Kenya and Uganda. Major gaps were identified in access to information and capacity building initiatives interventions, in addition to use of key government information as an outcome that address inclusive governance. Most of the evidence relies on non-experimental studies, and we could not identify any experimental or systematic review studies, highlighting a significant gap for future research. Authors’ Conclusions: The Evidence and Gap Map (EGM) consolidates and enhances the visibility of research on inclusive governance interventions, providing a single, accessible resource for policymakers, researchers, and funders. It primarily draws from impact and summative evaluations, encompassing over two decades of studies across 48 sub-Saharan African countries, particularly in Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Ghana. The findings indicate evidence concerning civic participation, movements, coalitions, and civil society organization (CSO) activities, while areas such as the use of government information remain under-researched. Furthermore, regional imbalances persist, with Eastern Africa dominating the research landscape. Overall, the EGM identifies evidence clusters, highlights significant gaps, and offers guidance for future evaluations and policy planning.